Within one hour of completing the email’s brief survey (and reporting moderate credit card debt), Scam Alert received two online “loan approvals” and two credit card offers. Each email required more personal information, and there never was a mention about the status of our supposed gift card.
The bottom line: Neither AARP nor other legitimate organizations issue gift cards unsolicited by email or cellphone text message. If you receive such a notice by email, delete it without responding. Text messages should be forwarded to 7726 (which spells SPAM on most keypads); do not respond “STOP” or “NO” to a provided number, as that only lets spammers know you’re a live, active contact.
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling.